Beauty for All: Five Rule-Breaker Indie Brands Helping To Redefine the Beauty Industry

I love discovering new indie beauty brands and this year has seen so many hit the market with everything from comprehensive skincare collections to new makeup formulations.  The new launches on my radar take a stand, whether it is their inclusivity of all skin types and colors, to those that are eco-conscious, to brands that don’t break the budget while delivering amazing results. These brands stand up against traditional beauty companies by creating judgement-free zones that have no hard fast rules about what constitutes “beauty”.  They are ageless, inclusive of all skin tones, and have a great range of colors, formulas and treatments like their traditional counterparts.  Spend what you want to spend, look like you want to look.  You define you, and on your own terms. Exactly how it should be:

Shop Florence by Mills

FLORENCE BY MILLS:  Hollywood darling Millie Bobby Brown created her own beauty line after spending countless hours in makeup chairs working with the top artists in the business.  Her number one focus was to create a brand that promoted a positive image of beauty that was for everyone, defying typical standards and was simple and fun to use.  Gen-Z-focused, the clean beauty line is free of parabens, sulfates and dyes, and is not tested on animals or containing any animal by-products.  The good stuff: vitamins, antioxidants, and botanicals means it has a lot of what your skin needs and none of what it doesn’t, wrapped up in feel-good/look good products. 

Shop Belei Skincare

BELEI:  With a name that combines “beauty” and “believe”, Amazon’s first exclusive skincare line comprises 12 products that are formulated for all skin types to address fine lines, acne, dark spots, dullness, and dehydration, with retinal, vitamin C serum, hyaluronic acid, charcoal masks, micellar water cleansers, and an effective acne treatment. Without the overhead of large-scale marketing and advertising, Belei relies on product reviews and the reviews are positive.  The good stuff:  no parabens, suflates, phthalates, or fragrance, and not tested on animals.  Bonus: every product is under $40.00 US.    

Shop Haus Labs

HAUS LABORATORIES:  It is official:  the queen of transformation Lady Gaga has created a makeup collection that is truly universal.  No matter how you identify, Gaga knows firsthand the power of transformation, which compelled her to develop a brand that was inclusive, theatrical, defiant, and exciting, to help people to become their own creation, their own superhero, to design their look for the world to see them as they want to be seen.  The good stuff: pigment rich, precise formulations are a makeup-lover’s playground.

Shop Carmindy Beauty

CARMINDY BEAUTY:  Celeb makeup artist Carmindy created her line after ten years starring on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, and working for such magazines as Elle, Marie Claire, Essence, and Glamour.  Her goal was to instill confidence with an anxiety-free, simplified beauty system that would create a glowing complexion enhanced by ultra-flattering makeup shades for women of all ages, colors, and skin types.  The good stuff:  her Carmindizing Skin System and 5 Minute Face System are easy to use and guarantee a gorgeous look in no time flat, at a reasonable price. Sold exclusively on QVC.

Shop Cupid & Psyche

CUPID & PSYCHE BEAUTY:  Animal lover and environmentalist Tracy Toler-Phillips is a fashion photographer on a mission.  Her goal was to create a beauty line that was eco-conscious while packing a pigment punch of red-carpet-ready colors.  Her lipstick line is bee-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and formulated with organic oils, shea butter, coconut, grape seed, avocado and jojoba oils.  The good stuff:  a percentage of all sales is donated to non-profits saving bees and wildlife.  

Indie brands that represent the true faces of the world, who consider the consequences of what we put on our skin, who care about the impact of beauty products and packaging on the environment, who simplify beauty while enhancing it, are brands I can get behind.  

                                                             XOXO Shelley

#newindiebeautybrands #beautybrandstowatch #newbeautybrands #indiebeautylaunches #florencebymills #hauslabs #carmindybeauty #beleiskincare #cupidandpsychybeauty #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein

This Season's Best Polished Hair Looks: #shinyhair

It's already the holiday weekend, and just like that summer is over and fall is just around the corner.  The major fashion weeks are about to take place and that means back to business.  I am actually looking forward to this season’s more polished, pulled together beauty looks inspired by the 90's fashion spotted on the runways, in fashion editorials, and on celebrities. One of the first things I want to do is trim my hair and work on its overall condition, as this season’s best looks are sleek and smooth no matter the length or amount of curl or wave.  I’ve consulted with some of the top hair stylists on sets who are creating new styles for editorials and celebs, and asked them for the key products and tools they use to achieve these looks. Whatever your length or type of hair, the top trend is hair that moves but is controlled, shine and gloss are key, and condition is paramount.  

90’s Blunt Bob:  sleek precision cut bobs of any length are classic and dramatic at the same time.  Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and Kim Kardashian have all been spotted with this edgy cut.  The key to this look is controlling frizz for a sleek, smooth finish.  Try Kérastase Discipline Anti-Frizz Smoothing Spray for its weightless formula and shine.  

Shop Kèrastase

Gamine Crop:  short hair is having a major moment, flirting with androgyny in the most feminine of looks.  Nothing shows off the neck and cheekbones quite like an eyelash grazing cut.  Try Shu Uemura Blow Dry Beautifier Thermo BB Serum that smoothes and softens hair for controlled movement and defined texture, while protecting it from heated styling tools.

Shop Shu Uemura

Great Lengths:  this season’s long hair looks have soft waves with a center part.  Think of your beach waves toned down a bit, with more definition.  Try Rossano Ferretti Parma Favoloso 18 Natural Defining Mousse, a light-hold styling and volumizing mousse that adds shine and is airy enough to allow hair to move.

Shop Rossano Ferretti

Volume:  need a little glam?  Time to practice back-combing and using hot rollers to achieve sculpted, glossy,  glamorous waves. Movement is key and the goal is to avoid stiff or un-touchable hair.  Try Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder, a volumizing formula that creates a shiny, airy hold.  

Shop Living Proof

Center-Part Straight:  Channel this 90’s favorite style for a versatile look that draws all the attention to your face, in a look that works 24-7: ponytail grip for the gym, ultra-chic for going out, sets off dramatic, smokey eyes just as well as a clean, natural look.  Try the Dryer Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush which smoothes hair with a paddle-shaped brush that has the heat of a flat iron while being as easy to use as a regular hairbrush, leaving hair shiny and frizz-free.  

Shop Drybar

Glossy Straight:  thin straight hair needs a great cut that has face-framing soft layers.  Try Ouai Hair Oil for a high gloss, smooth finish.  The lightweight formula won’t weigh fine hair down.

Shop Ouai

It’s time for a fresh new look to go along with the fresh air creeping in.  I’m off to make an appointment with my stylist asap.  

                                                         XOXO Shelley

#hairtrendsforfall2019 #besthaircutsforfall #runwayhair  #bestlonghairstyles #longhairtrends #bestfallhairtrends #celebrityhairstyles #editorialhairstyles #shorthairstyles #90’shair #shinyhair #glossyhairstyles #facethisblogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein

Don’t Say Goodbye to Summer Fashion Just Yet: Fall’s Most Versatile Pieces to Buy Now, Wear Now - and Later

As much as I love pouring over the September issues of fashion magazines, and even as I dream of cozy sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes, I can’t imagine putting my favorite summer pieces aside until spring.  I love the feeling of light, airy dresses, clothes that float, breathe and move, and florals, pastels, and whites.  I am shopping for basics that I can wear for the next few months when the temperatures can hover between Indian Summer hot and downright frosty.  All of the pieces can be worn multiple ways and in any season, and will turn my summer wardrobe into fall favorites. 

Leather and lace: Lacey summer dresses look rocker chic when you add black tights and studded boots.  Nothing overly sweet here, just a great look for going out.  I'll be wearing the boots with jeans, pants, dresses, and skirts in all lengths, to give my look an edge. 

Say YES to white after Labor Day: white is a definite DO all year round now, and has become a color basic. I'll add a colorful sweater and sneaker like this look from Mango for fall and look every bit as fresh as a bright, crisp fall morning. 

Layer-cake: I am still in love with my summer color palette of sorbet colors, which I can easily update with a beige blazer and logo sneakers in beige and brown. I'll wear a lightweight turtleneck for cooler days for a cozy layer under lightweight pieces, and I’ll wear the blazer over a chunky sweater with jeans or pants when temperatures drop.  

I’m with the band: folk wear jackets and band jackets are a perennial favorite if you find the one that really fits you.  Vintage stores often have them, or you can just add trim and embellishments to a blazer.  Tip: look for youth boys’ club jackets, or school blazers for a cute fitted look.  Vintage stores often have these smaller jackets.  I love wearing them with tights, boots both low and over the knee, with short dresses, or with jeans.  

Stealing from the boys: an oversized men’s blazer in a traditional wool is a great layering piece that gives a boho vibe when worn over midi dresses or skirts.  Head to the men’s department to find one that looks like you borrowed it from your significant other, or check out thrift shops for retro plaids, tweeds, checks, and pinstripes, to channel this year’s designer looks.  The dry-cleaning bill might just be worth it.

Denim forever: just as our most worn-in jeans are on constant rotation in our wardrobes, an amazing jean jacket is one of the keystones of all-American style.  I am looking for one that is soft and loosely structured so I can wear layers under it.  I’ll rock the Canadian tuxedo all year long.

Investment strategy: a well-fitting, classic trench coat is a piece that will literally last for decades and never go out of style.  Wear it to work, wear it to play.  Wear it with everything. Wear it until the snow falls and you just need something warmer.  Wear it with boots, sneakers, heels.  Wear it with jeans, dresses, menswear, or if you are really adventurous, just your undies.  Just wear it. 

The days are getting shorter and the night’s a little cooler, but these new pieces have me covered.  No need to say goodbye just yet to my favorite summer looks.  

                                                                XOXO Shelley

#fallshopping #classicpiecesforfall #whiteafterlaborday #quickwardrobeupdatesforfall #fallfashion #wearsummerfashioninfall #facethis.blogspot.com #ShelleyGoodstein